Apparatus and method for insertion of gaskets

ABSTRACT

A gasket insertion apparatus and method for inserting a fluid sealing gasket between the bolted connection flanges of adjacent underwater pipe line segments is provided. The gasket insertion apparatus includes of a flat frame having an inner peripheral surface and an outer peripheral surface. The inner peripheral surface of the frame has a plurality of angularly cut teeth. The gasket is mounted within the frame and is held in place by the plurality of angularly cut teeth. The gasket insertion apparatus has a handle with an open geometric ring-shaped grip that is configured so that the gasket insertion apparatus may be gripped by a manipulation arm of an underwater remotely operated vehicle and/or by a diver. The apparatus, with gasket attached, is brought to an underwater location and inserted between adjacent flanges of a bolted flange connection by a diver or an underwater remotely operated vehicle.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present invention is a continuation of Ser. No. 12/939,071 filedNov. 3, 2010, entitled “Apparatus and Method for Insertion of Gaskets”,which claims the benefit of U.S. provisional application No. 61/295,037filed Jan. 14, 2010, the contents of which are incorporated herein byreference.

FIELD

The invention relates generally an apparatus and method for insertion ofgaskets and, more particularly, to an apparatus for and a method ofinserting fluid sealing gaskets between the flange connectors ofadjacent pipe sections of underwater pipe line sections.

BACKGROUND

In laying underwater pipelines, divers are often utilized to bolttogether opposing connector flanges of adjacent pipe sections. In orderto do so the divers, typically must hold these opposing connectorflanges in a relatively stationary position in order to insert a fluidsealing gasket between these opposing flanges prior to completing thebolting operations that will join these opposing flanges together.

When making the bolted connections a diver must guard against having hishands caught between the relatively moving flanges of these adjacentpipe segments to avoid injury. Gasket insertion devices have beenutilized to hold the sealing gaskets in a desired position between theopposing flanges in order to guard against injury to the fingers andhands of the diver and to avoid damage to the gaskets. In deep waterdiving situations, divers may utilize deep water diving suits or aremotely operated vehicle (a “ROV”). These devices have manipulativearms for gripping tools that aid in the joining together of theseopposing flange sections. The manipulative arms of an ROV or a deepwater diving suit typically limit the dexterity that may be required toproperly grasp, hold and insert a sealing gasket between the opposingpipe flanges.

SUMMARY

The present invention provides an improved apparatus and method for theinsertion of fluid sealing gaskets between opposing faces of flangeconnectors fixed to the ends of pipe sections. The improved apparatusincludes a handle suitable for use with both deep water diving suits andremotely operated vehicles. The apparatus is provided with alignmenttabs to aid the diver in properly aligning the gasket between the boltholes of adjoining flanges. The handle may have a slit to accommodatethe stems of leak test gaskets such as the KaMOS® RTJ Gasketmanufactured by Karmsund Maritime Offshore Supply AS.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of the gasket insertion apparatus.

FIG. 2 is a side cross-section view of the gasket insertion apparatus ofFIG. 1 and gasket combination configured for insertion betweenconnecting flanges of a pipeline.

FIG. 3 is a front view of the gasket insertion apparatus of FIG. 1 andgasket combination in place between flange connectors of a pipeline.

FIG. 4 is an isometric view of the gasket insertion apparatus of FIG. 1and gasket combination configured for insertion between connectingflanges of a pipeline.

FIG. 5 is a cross-section view of the gasket insertion gasket insertionapparatus of FIG. 1 and gasket combination inserted between connectingflanges of a pipeline.

FIG. 6 is an isometric view of an alternate embodiment of the gasketinsertion apparatus.

FIG. 7 is a front view of the gasket insertion apparatus of FIG. 6 andgasket combination in place between flange connectors of a pipeline.

FIG. 8 is a cross-section view of the gasket insertion gasket insertionapparatus of FIG. 6 withdrawn from between the connecting flanges of apipeline segments after a gasket has been inserted.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring now to the drawings and in particular to FIG. 1, there isshown the gasket insertion apparatus 10 for inserting fluid sealinggasket between the flange connectors of adjacent pipe sections. Theapparatus 10 includes a flat, ring-shaped gasket-holder frame 12 havinga handle 14. The handle 14 has a shaft 16, the proximal end of which isattached to the frame 12 so that the handle shaft extends radiallyoutward from the outer edge of the gasket-holder frame 12. The apparatus10 may be made of any structurally suitable material such as aluminum oraluminum alloys, steel, stainless steel, mild steel, polymericcomposites, or industrial laminates such as those Manufactured ByNorplex-Micarta, Industrial Laminates/Norplex, Inc., 407 South 7thStreet, Noblesville, Ind. 46060.

A handle grip 18 is attached to the end of shaft 16 that is distal fromthe frame 12 and is configured as an open trapezoidal shaped ring. Thehandle shaft 16 may have a split or a slit 20 that extends along thelength of the handle shaft 16. The width of the slit 20 in the handleshaft 16 is sufficient to accommodate the stem of a leak test gasketsuch as the KaMOS® RTJ Gasket manufactured by Karmsund Maritime OffshoreSupply AS. Further, the handle may be broken off at the top of the splitto allow removal for use when flange faces are completely flush and thedevice must be removed before final bolting of the two flange halves.

The open trapezoidal ring-shaped handle grip 18 is dimensioned toaccommodate a human hand, the glove or manipulator of a diving suit, orthe robotic manipulators of a ROV. A variety of handle types may beutilized, the exact size and shape of the handle grip 18 will dependupon the ROV and the type of robotic manipulators provided on the ROV tograb and manipulate the grip 18. While it is thought that a handle gripconfigured as an open trapezoidal shaped ring will be utilized for theapparatus 10 in most instances, the handle grip 18 may be comprised ofother open geometric configurations such as a triangular, circular, orrectangular ring-shaped configuration.

The interior periphery 24 of the ring-shaped frame 12 is provided with aplurality of serrations or angularly cut teeth 22. These teeth 22 serveto grab and hold in place a resilient gasket 26 positioned within theinterior periphery 24 of the frame 12. The gasket 26 is positioned onthe frame so that the outer diameter of the gasket 26 will fit againstthe interior periphery 24 of the ring-shaped frame 12.

The frame 12 may also be provided with an alignment tab 28 that alsoextends radially outward from the frame 12 generally opposite the handle14. The width of the handle 14 and the alignment tab 28 may be variedaccording to the size of flange connectors with which the apparatus 10is to be utilized. Ideally, the width of the tab 28 and handle 14 willbe configured to span between the edges of adjacent bolt holes 34 on apipe connection flange 30. This will allow the tab 28 or the handle 14to serve as an aid in centering the gasket 26 as the apparatus 10 andgasket 26 are inserted between adjoining pipe flanges 30.

The gasket insertion apparatus 10 and gasket 26 may be configured foruse, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, by positioning the ring-shaped gasket 26within the interior periphery 24 of the frame 12 so that the outerdiameter of the gasket 26 is fitted against the interior periphery 24 ofthe ring-shaped frame 12. Fitting the resilient gasket 26 within theframe 12 in that manner will allow the teeth 22 to hold the gasket 26 inplace within the interior periphery 24 of the frame 12. When the gasket26 is a leak test gasket having a radially extending test stem 27, thegasket 26 is oriented within the frame 12 so that the extending stem 27is positioned within the slit 20 of the handle shaft 16.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the use of the combination of the insertionapparatus 10 and a gasket 26 fitted within the frame 12 as describedherein will allow a diver to effectuate the placement of the gasket 26between the connection flanges 30 of pipeline segments 32 using only twoalignment pins 35 and without having to place his hands or fingersbetween the flanges 30. This will allow the diver to place and positionthe gasket 26 in the desired location without having to connect most ofthe bolts that make up the connection flanges.

The apparatus 10 is used by placing a gasket 26 onto the interiorperiphery 24 defined by the frame 12 so that the gasket 26 is retainedwithin the periphery 24 of the frame 12 in a push-frictional fit. Theteeth 22 around the interior periphery 24 of the frame 12 serve toincrease this frictional fit and hold the gasket 26 in place. A numberof apparatus 10 and gasket 26 combinations may be made up as describedprior to a dive and kept available for use.

When a flange to flange connection is to be made during a dive, a diverbrings the connection flanges 30 of adjacent pipe segments 32 togetherin a desired proximity and places bolts 35 or alignment pins 36 inselected flange bolt holes 34 on the connection flanges 30. Preferablyat least two alignment pins 36 are utilized and these alignment pins 36are placed at approximately adjacent bolt holes 34 on the flanges 30.

The apparatus 10 with the inserted gasket 26 in place is then grasped bythe handle grip 18 by a diver or by the gripping arms of an ROV. Theapparatus 10 with the inserted gasket 26 is then placed between theadjacent connection flanges 30 at the ends of adjacent pipe sections 32.Placement of the alignment tab 28 of the apparatus 10 between thepre-positioned alignment pins 36 will guide the alignment and placementof the gasket 26 and serve to assist the diver in centering the gasket26 in the desired position between connection flanges 30. The alignmentpins 36 serve as a stop for the frame 12 and tab 28 to facilitatevertical and horizontal centering of the frame 12 of the apparatus 10and thus the gasket 26 between the connection flanges 30.

The handle shaft 16 may have a scored area 23 to serve as a desiredbreak-off point for the handle 14. A diver may break the handle 14 alongthe scored area 23 leaving the frame 12 and the gasket 26 in positionbetween the adjacent flanges 30.

Use of the insertion apparatus 10 in combination with a gasket 26 willallow the diver more flexibility on fixing the distance needed betweenthe faces of the pipe flanges being connected before the gasket 26 isinstalled, especially when alignment pins 36 are used to position theopposing flanges adjacent to each other. The use of insertion apparatus10 in combination with a gasket 26 and alignment pins 36 will alsoincrease the safety of the diver as well as reduce the gasketinstallation time.

An alternate embodiment of the gasket insertion apparatus 50 is shown inFIG. 6. This embodiment may be used in the connection of adjoining pipesegments having closed face connection flanges. In this embodiment, thegasket insertion apparatus 50 is comprised of a flat U-shapedgasket-holder frame 52 having a handle 54 that extends radially outwardfrom the outer edge of the gasket-holder frame 52. A semi-circularconfiguration may be most suitable for the U-shaped frame 52.

The handle 54 is further includes a handle shaft 56 and an opentrapezoidal shaped handle grip 58. If a leak test gasket is to beutilized as a sealing gasket, the handle shaft 56 may have a split orslit extending along the length of the handle 56 similar to the slit 20shown in FIG. 1 on handle 14 of apparatus 10.

The open trapezoidal shaped handle grip 58 is dimensioned to accommodateboth a human hand, the glove of a diving suit, or the roboticmanipulators of an ROV. The exact size and shape of the handle grip 58will depend upon the type of robotic manipulators utilized to grab thegrip 58. Other handle grip configurations, such as a triangular,circular, or rectangular configuration might also be utilized.

A plurality of serrations or angularly cut teeth 62 are provided aroundthe interior semi-circular periphery 64 of the frame 52. These teeth 52serve to grab and hold in place a resilient gasket 26 positioned withinthe interior periphery 64 of the frame 52.

Typically, when closed faced connection flanges are provided for theconnection of adjacent pipe segments, there is no room for a circularflange insertion apparatus 10 to fit between the connecting flanges. Insuch a case, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the insertion apparatus 50 maybe utilized.

To use the apparatus 50, a gasket 26 is frictionally mounted in place onits radial periphery by the serrations 62 that are provided around theinterior semi-circular periphery 64 of the frame 52. The apparatus 50and mounted gasket 26 is then brought to the location where the flangedconnection is to be made. The closed face flanges 30 of adjacent pipesegments 32 are brought together and held in place by at least two bolts35. The gasket 26 is then installed by pressing the insertion apparatus50, with the gasket 26 in place, between the flanges 30 in a mannersufficient to pinch the gasket 26 and place it in a desired positionbetween the two adjoining connection flanges. Additional connectionbolts 35 may then be installed to stabilize the flange and gasketconfiguration. The apparatus 50 may then be removed by pulling theapparatus 50 away from the flanges 30 leaving the gasket 26 in place,and the remainder of the connection bolts 35 may then be inserted andtightened to complete the connection of the pipe segments 32.

The apparatus for and method of inserting fluid sealing gaskets betweenthe flange connectors of adjacent pipe sections of underwater pipe linespresented herein as well as its attendant advantages will be understoodfrom the foregoing description. It will be apparent that various changesmay be made in the form, construction and arrangement of the partsthereof without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention orsacrificing all of its material advantages, the forms described hereinbeing merely an example embodiments of the invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A gasket insertion apparatus, comprising: (a) a frame having an inner peripheral surface and an outer peripheral surface; and (b) a handle shaft extending radially outward from said outer peripheral surface of said frame, said handle shaft having a width and having a proximal end attached to said frame and a distal end extending away from said handle shaft; wherein the handle shaft has a slit extending from the inner peripheral surface through the frame and radially within the handle shaft, terminating prior to the distal end.
 2. The gasket insertion apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said frame is a flat ring-shaped frame.
 3. The gasket insertion apparatus as recited in claim 2, further comprising a tab extending radially outward from said outer peripheral surface of said frame, said tab positioned on said ring-shaped frame opposite from said handle.
 4. The gasket insertion apparatus as recited in claim 2, wherein the slit is configured to accommodate a test stem of a leak test gasket.
 5. The gasket insertion apparatus as recited in claim 3, wherein the tab has a width so dimensioned as to be insertable between edges of adjacent bolt holes on a pipe connection flange.
 6. The gasket insertion apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein the width of said handle shaft is dimensioned to be insertable between the edges of adjacent bolt holes on the pipe connection flange.
 7. The gasket insertion apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said handle shaft has a scored area creating a desired break-off point on said handle.
 8. The gasket insertion apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said apparatus is aluminum.
 9. The apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said frame is a flat, U-shaped frame.
 10. The apparatus of recited in claim 9, further comprising: a handle grip attached to said distal end of said shaft, said handle grip configured to be gripped by a manipulation arm of an underwater remotely operated vehicle.
 11. The apparatus as recited in claim 9, wherein: the width of said handle is so dimensioned as to be insertable between edges of adjacent bolt holes of a pipe connection flange.
 12. The apparatus as recited in claim 10, wherein: said handle grip is a trapezoidal shaped ring.
 13. The apparatus as recited in claim 9, wherein the slit is configured to accommodate the test stem of a leak test gasket.
 14. The apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein the inner peripheral surface includes gripping members.
 15. A gasket insertion apparatus for inserting fluid sealing gasket between bolted flange connectors of adjacent pipe sections, comprising: (a) a flat frame, said flat frame having an inner peripheral surface and an outer peripheral surface; (b) a handle shaft extending radially outward from said outer peripheral surface of said frame, said handle shaft having a proximal end attached to said frame and a distal end extending away from said handle shaft; and (c) a circular fluid sealing gasket, said gasket being mounted within said inner peripheral surface of said frame and held in place by said plurality of angularly cut teeth; wherein the handle shaft has a slit extending from the inner peripheral surface through the frame and radially within the handle shaft, terminating prior to the distal end.
 16. The gasket insertion apparatus as recited in claim 15, wherein in said frame is a flat, circular ring-shaped frame.
 17. The gasket insertion apparatus as recited in claim 16, further comprising a tab extending radially outward from said outer peripheral surface of said frame, said tab positioned on said ring-shaped frame opposite from said handle, the width of said tab so dimensioned as to be insertable between the edges of adjacent bolt holes on a pipe connection flange.
 18. The gasket insertion apparatus as recited in claim 16, wherein the slit is configured to accommodate a test stem of a leak test gasket.
 19. The gasket insertion apparatus as recited in claim 15, wherein said frame is a flat, U-shaped frame.
 20. The gasket insertion apparatus as recited in claim 19, wherein the slit is configured to accommodate a test stem of a leak test gasket.
 21. A method of inserting a fluid sealing gasket between the bolted connection flanges of adjacent underwater pipe line segments comprising the steps of: (a) providing a gasket insertion apparatus having: i) a flat frame, said flat frame having an inner peripheral surface and an outer peripheral surface; and ii) a handle shaft extending radially outward from said outer peripheral surface of said frame, said handle shaft having a proximal end attached to said frame and a distal end extending away from said handle shaft and a slit extending from the inner peripheral surface through the frame and radially within the handle shaft, terminating prior to the distal end; (b) providing a fluid sealing gasket; (c) mounting said gasket onto said inner peripheral surface of said frame of said gasket insertion apparatus whereby said gasket is held in place on said frame by said plurality of angularly cut teeth; (d) providing a plurality of alignment pins and connection bolts; (e) bringing said gasket insertion apparatus with said mounted gasket and said alignment pins to a desired underwater location for making a bolted connection of adjoining flanges of pipe line segments, each of said flanges having a plurality of bolt holes; (f) aligning said adjoining flanges by inserting at least two alignment pins through selected bolt holes of each of said adjoining flanges; (g) inserting said gasket insertion apparatus with said mounted gasket between said adjoining flanges; and (h) bolting said adjoining flanges together with said bolts leaving said gasket in position between said flanges.
 22. The method of inserting a fluid sealing gasket between the bolted connection flanges of adjacent underwater pipe line segments as recited in claim 21, wherein: (a) said frame of said gasket insertion apparatus is a flat, ring-shaped frame; and (b) said frame has a tab extending radially outward from said outer peripheral surface of said frame, said tab positioned on said ring-shaped frame opposite from said handle, the width of said tab being so dimensioned as to be insertable between the edges of adjacent bolt holes of said pipe connection flanges.
 23. The method of inserting a fluid sealing gasket between the bolted connection flanges of adjacent underwater pipe line segments as recited in claim 21, wherein: (a) said fluid sealing gasket is a leak test gasket having a radially extending test stem; (b) said slit is configured to accommodate the test stem of a leak test gasket; and (c) said test stem of said gasket is inserted into said slit in said handle when said gasket is mounted onto said gasket insertion apparatus. 